Shield Hero: A New Hero

Chapter 11

Out in the fields, we were hunting the same creatures we always have. Right now, we were attacking a small pack of wolves. I wanted a new challenge.

Readying myself, one of the wolves rushed towards me. As it pounced and bit down on my arm, I used its own momentum to flip it over me and onto its back. "Makoto!" I yelled. As I kept the wolf still, Makoto quickly rushed over and stabbed it in the chest.

Backing away from the dead wolf, I turned to the remaining 3. Raising my daggers, I twirled one in my hand, holding it in a reverse grip.

The last 3 wolves hunched down. One after another, they each lunged at us. However, before they could even get near, Daenerys, in her dragon form, pinned two, one under each of her front talons, before eating the third one.

As the last two wolves struggled under Daenerys' hold, me and Makoto stabbed them. Pulling my daggers free, I sheathed them as Makoto sheathed her sword. Now that all of the wolves were gone, Daenerys changed back into her human form. "That was too easy."

"Yeah."

"You're bleeding." Daenerys gestured to my arm.

"Huh?" I raised my arm. "Oh, this is nothing." I rolled up my sleeve and pulled out some bandages. Makoto suddenly walked over and grabbed my arm. "What're you...?" she pulled out a small circular container. Opening it, there was some kind of cream inside. Getting a little on her fingers, she spread the cream along the bite marks and the pain quickly subsided. "Thanks." I wrapped my arm in the bandages before rolling my sleeve back down.

"Don't you think we should take on something more challenging?" Daenerys asked.

"Yeah, I do." I looked back at the kingdom of Melromarc. "Maybe we should get a change of scenery as well."

"Oh? Where are we going?"

I paused for a second as I thought of a destination. "Hmm...Melromarc is basically the only location I know by name. And Lute village." I crossed my arms. "Makoto, any ideas?" I asked, turning to face her.

She just shrugged in reply.

"Why not just follow the road?" Daenerys suggested.

"Walking could take forever to reach...wherever the road leads." I told her. "It'd be best to have a carriage. Even then, it'd cost a bit more to buy a filolia-"

"No!" Daenerys growled. "I can pull the carriage. But we are NOT getting a filolial."

I found her sudden annoyance and sternness towards filolials a bit strange. "Alright..." I shrugged. "So all we need to do is buy a carriage, then."

"Why do we need a carriage anyway?" Daenerys asked. "I could just fly us wherever we need to go."

"I wouldn't want you to get exhausted." I told her. "Plus, I, uh, I don't like heights."

"Why not?! Flying is so much fun!" Daenerys replied.

"Flying, sure. It's the falling part that doesn't exactly intrigue me." I told her.

"Please, master?" Daenerys placed her hands together. "You'll be safe with me."

"I dunno..." Feeling a sudden tap on my arm, I looked to my side to see Makoto staring at me. "What?"

She moved her eyes from me to the direction of Daenerys while gesturing with her head. "Seriously? You think I should-"

"That's two against one!" Daenerys said, changing into her dragon form. "Hop on."

"I, uh, I don't-" I was suddenly pushed forward. Looking back at Makoto, I saw she was smiling.

"Come oooon!" Daenerys shifted her body back and forth, clearly getting impatient.

"Fine." I let out a defeated sigh.

Daenerys hunched down, allowing me to easily get on her back. Moving a bit so I could sit comfortably, I got a good grip. "Alright. I think I'm-" Daenerys suddenly bolted off the ground, flying straight towards the sky. Yelling in surprise, and a bit of fright, closed my eyes. My stomach felt like it was in my throat as we got higher and I could feel my heart pumping the blood through my veins.

It felt like forever before Daenerys finally straightened out. "See?" she asked. "Isn't it fun?"

"Yeah, yeah, it's a blast! Now would ya put me back on the ground?!"

"Your eyes aren't open, are they?" she asked.

"Nope!"

"Would you just look?"

Sighing, I slowly opened my eyes and was taken back by what I saw. We were completely surrounded by clouds. And as the wind blew through my hair, I felt like I was floating. "This...I don't know what to say."

Daenerys chuckled. "Told ya so."

Leaning over slightly, I looked to the ground below and saw just how high up we really were. Fighting the vertigo, I moved back to my previous position. "Okay, this is pretty cool." I admitted.

Flying through cloud after cloud, I couldn't help but reach out and touch one. My hand felt like it was brushing against the softest feathers.

Flying in silence, I found it rather peaceful up here. I felt the same as when Makoto would comfort me, as if all of my problems just faded away.

Laying back, I stared up as we flew, watching the clouds overhead pass by as we soared. "Alright." I sat up. "This was pretty amazing, but I think we should get back to Makoto."

Daenerys didn't reply as we began to descend. Reaching the ground, I slid off Daenerys' back as she changed into her human form. "I knew you'd like it." she told me.

"It was pretty fun." I smiled.

Feeling a tap on my shoulder, I turned around to see Makoto with a smile on her face. "Hey, maybe next time Makoto can join us." Daenerys suggested.

Makoto's hair turned snow white as she waved her hands in front of her and shook her head, her eyes wide. "Why not?" I asked teasingly. "You made me do it."

She just shook her head faster.

"I think it's only fair." I told her. "After all, you did kind of force me to."

Makoto took a step back, still shaking her head. "Eh, I guarantee you'll fly with Daenerys sooner or later." I added.

Makoto stopped shaking her head as Daenerys approached. "So, what now?"

"We get a carriage and hit the road." I replied. "Maybe help a few villages along the way."

"I'd like that. Leaving this place would be great!"

"Then it's settled." I began walking back towards Melromarc. "Let's get a carriage."

Once back in Melromarc, I began looking around for a carriage and came across a place that sold a few. Approaching the shopkeeper, I gestured back to one of the carriages. "How much are those?" I asked.

"150 silvers." the shopkeeper replied.

"Alright." pulling out my bag of coins, I handed over 150 silvers. As I placed the coins in his hand, I noticed he was staring at something on my hip.

"You wouldn't happen to be the dagger hero, would ya?" he asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"It true that you're buddy-buddy with the shield hero?" he asked.

"...yes."

His face turned to one of disgust. "I forgot, the price for a carriage is 300 silvers."

"You just doubled the price!" Daenerys growled.

Glaring at him, I reached for another 150 silvers. "Why the sudden price change?"

"None of your business!" the shopkeep growled. "Now, you want the carriage or what?"

"Here." I handed the coin over.

"By the way, the filolial costs 100 more silvers." he added.

"I don't need one."

He glared at me in reply. "Then get out of my shop!" he growled.

"Gladly." I turned around and walked over to one of the carriages. Daenerys changed into her dragon form so I could hook her up. Once she was, Makoto climbed in back as I took the reins.

"Alright." I said softly. "Let's get goin'."

Hours later

Following the road for what felt like forever, we finally came across a village just as the sun began to set. Glancing back in the carriage, I saw Makoto was asleep. Looking back to the road, we went into the village and parked our carriage next to the others. Hopping off the carriage, I unhooked Daenerys and she changed back into her human form.

Heading to the back, I climbed in and gently shook Makoto's shoulder. Opening her eyes a bit, she sat up and yawned. "We're...in a village." I told her. "C'mon, lets find a decent place to sleep and see if we can't find some work in the morning."

She nodded as she got to her feet. Seeing her wobble on her feet, I grabbed her shoulders to help her keep her balance. "Guess you're still pretty tired."

Helping her out of the back of the carriage, we walked the streets until I found the inn. Heading through the doors, I approached front desk. "Room for 3?" I asked the lady behind the counter.

"Sorry, we only have rooms for 2 available." she replied. "2 silvers for one night."

"Right." handing over the coin, she pointed me to the room. Walking in, I helped Makoto take off her boots, armor, and cloak since she seemed too tired to do so herself. She laid down in the bed as I placed her armor, cloak and boots next to the bed. Daenerys took the other bed while I took off my armor, boots and cloak as well, placing them by the bed. As I turned around, I felt a hand grab my wrist.

Turning around, I saw Makoto was looking up at me with half open eyes. "What?" I asked softly.

She replied by gently patting the spot next to her. Realizing what she meant, I didn't argue as I slid in bed next to her. I was a bit embarrassed and nervous, though. Makoto turned over onto her side. Wrapping one arm around her, I felt her hand grab my hand, squeezing gently.

Closing my eyes, I drifted off.

The next day, me, Daenerys and Makoto went around looking for work. As we went from place to place, I heard about a creature that had been terrorizing the village.

"So, are we going to-?"

"You're one of the heroes, yes?" I turned around to see a short elderly man.

"The dagger hero, yeah." I told him. "And you are?"

"Are you here to take out the Nue?"

"Nue?" I repeated. "I-I guess?" I shrugged.

"Please, the beast has been terrorizing our village for weeks." the man said. "Killing our cattle, and-"

"I understand." I said. "Do you know where it's at?"

"Inside a cave, at the base of the mountain." he told me, pointing to the mountain.

"Okay, we'll head there now." I said.

An hour later

Reaching the base of the mountain took some time, as well as finding the cave entrance. Parking the carriage, I hopped down and unhooked Daenerys before heading inside.

"It's kinda dark." my voice echoed a bit as we walked further into the cave. Daenerys was still in her dragon form as we went deeper into the cave. "Does anyone have a light?"

"Shouldn't you have a spell for something like that?" Daenerys asked.

"Actually..." I raised my dagger. "Fire dagger!" the blade was immediately engulfed in flames, lighting the area. "There we go."

Walking further into the cave, I could hear what sounded like growling echo through the cave. "Keep your guard up." I told the others.

Walking for a few more minutes, we reached the end of the cave. And there, at the far end was the creature we came to kill. It was just moving around the area. I noticed the thing had a monkey's head, raccoon body, tiger limbs and snake tail.

Taking a step towards it, it suddenly turned to face us, growling. Readying my blades, Makoto stood next to me as Daenerys hunched down.

"Let's finish this quick."

End of chapter 11